People

Victor Sassoon

Born in Singapore, Victor spent his formative years between Jakarta and Singapore, where his family were based.

Known as the man who introduced western-style coffee shops to Asia, Victor has dedicated his working life to serving consumers across the region, and igniting their interest in the finer things in life: first through Rubina Watch Company, a luxury watch retailer and distributor, then through his concert promotion business - responsible for over 100-large scale events and latterly, through acquiring and globally rolling out The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the world’s largest privately owned coffee chain. Victor was awarded the prestigious ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ by Singapore Tourism Board. Victor’s passion for constant innovation saw The Coffee Bean Singapore awarded the Business Enterprise Award and Most Influential Brand in 2013 by Gen Y.

Victor also has a passion for property and development and has enjoyed building an extensive property portfolio that spans the globe.

Victor has always been very active in community work and supporting the less fortunate. Victor is currently the President of the Jewish Welfare Board and a Trustee of the Jewish Charity Trust and the Jacob Ballas Trust. Outside work, Victor relaxes by spending time with his wife whom he has worked closely with for 30 years, his five children and four grandchildren. Victor is an avid soccer follower and enjoys traveling, good food and good wine.

Michelle Sassoon

During her tenure as owner and COO of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Michelle and her husband set up The Coffee Bean stores in Singapore and Malaysia, eventually putting The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on the map as the world’s largest privately held specialty coffee operator with over 1000 outlets worldwide.

Apart from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Michelle has been responsible for spearheading numerous lifestyle concepts in Singapore and Asia. Michelle has dealt with a diversity of industries from entertainment and show business to lifestyle apparel and accessories retailing, right through to luxury watch retailing and distribution. Michelle is a member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) – Singapore Chapter and was the Asia jury member for the Annual Cartier Women’s Initiative for 5 years.

Following Michelle’s passion for education, she was invited to be a Trustee member of the Charitable Foundation and sits on the Board of UWCSEA and other prominent enrichment education boards.

Michelle has a deep appreciation for culture and the arts and is a member of the Marketing Advisory panel to the National Gallery Singapore.

She is an avid reader and prioritizes her Saturday afternoons to reading a wide variety of books, from fiction to non-fiction, as well as management books and business articles. She enjoys cooking, music and traveling with her family. But above all else, Michelle’s greatest satisfaction in life is her five children.

Sunny Sassoon

An entrepreneur by nature, Sunny has played various leadership and strategic roles in SassCorp’s portfolio companies, such as The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (United States), Rubina Watch Company (Singapore), and other luxury businesses (Indonesia).

For almost two decades, Sunny was part of the leadership and management team that transformed The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf from a local LA chain into a global brand with close to 1,500 stores employing more than 25,000 people worldwide.

In addition, Sunny plays an active role in the family’s real estate investments in the United States and in Southeast Asia.

Sunny grew up in Singapore and Jakarta and currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife Debbie and their five children. Sunny sits on the board of various companies and charitable institutions.

Irwan Mussry

Surabaya born Irwan Danny Mussry has always had an affinity for the finer things in life. To date, Irwan has successfully brought the beauty, elegance and one-stop-shopping experience to Indonesia.

Irwan is currently the President & CEO of Time International. Under his leadership, the company is the leading luxury retailer in Indonesia, with a portfolio ranging from specialist luxury timepieces, luxury fashion, and lifestyle. Time International exclusively represents 50 of the most renowned brands, working with the likes of LVMH, Richemont, PPR (Kering), Rolex, Fossil, etc.

In his spare time, he enjoys arts, music and film, and is a firm believer that family takes precedence over all else. He is the Executive Producer of "The Raid" - recent Indonesian blockbuster movie, under Sony Pictures Classics.

Mel Elias

Melvin worked at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for almost 17 years. He was President & CEO from 2008 to 2013, responsible for opening almost 1000 locations in 30 countries, with 12,000 employees and system-wide sales exceeding US$500M. In 2013, Mel led the sale of the majority of The Coffee Bean to 3 private equity groups. Mel is still associated with The Coffee Bean as a minority shareholder and Board Member.

Prior to his work at The Coffee Bean, Mel earned his L.L.B in Law from The London School of Economics, practiced Law in Singapore and operated the Tower Records Franchise in Malaysia.

Presently, he consults for the retail industry, invests in various progressive Food and Beverage businesses, sits on various Boards in the US and UK, and is a Venture Advisor at Crosscut Ventures in Los Angeles.

Claire Benjamin

Claire oversees strategic operations, acquisitions and investments in Southeast Asia. Over the past two years, Claire has played a leadership role in several transactions focusing on M&A and corporate finance within the Fintech, Logtech, education and consumer spaces.

Prior to her current position, Claire was heading Business Development in Rubina Watch Company and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf respectively. At The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Claire pioneered the launch of CBTL’s Single-serve beverage machine and capsule system. Claire was also at the forefront of CBTL’s wholesale supply chain strategy and execution in Southeast Asia.

Claire earned her Bachelor's Degree in Laws from the University of Bristol; and her Masters Degree in Laws from City University; and was called to the Bar at Inns of Court, School of Law (UK).